Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines Sino-Middle Eastern relations on a bilateral level since World War II. It highlights the depth of China's involvement in the region with each country on a five dimensional approach: energy security, trade relations, political relations, arms sales/security cooperation, and cultural relations. Regarding each of these criteria, the Middle East holds a strategic significance to China's national security, vital interests, territorial integrity, sovereignty, regime survival, and economic prosperity. China has been an integral part of the political developments on the Middle Eastern political scene. It has supported the region's quest for independence and national liberation, exchanged diplomatic recognition with the region and established political partnerships with the Middle East. Trade relations are an essential element of China's involvement in the Middle East. Their bilateral trade volume exceeds $220 billion annually, and is steadily heading toward $500 billion by t
Trade ReviewWith the emergence of China as a global power, Olimat examines Sino–Middle Eastern relations on a bilateral basis—2 general chapters and 15 country-specific chapters—and employs in his analysis a five-dimensional approach: energy security, trade relations, political relations, arms sales/security cooperation, and cultural relations. With the much heralded 'rise of China,' Olimat concludes that China has established multivariable ties around the globe and in the Middle East. Those ties require China's becoming increasingly involved in the region or, as he puts it, 'pivoting into' the area. He documents these ties in encyclopedic detail in the 15 country chapters and draws area-wide conclusions in the opening and closing general chapters. He organizes his analysis using China's 'Old Guard Period 1949-78' and 'Economic Reform Period 1978-current.' Olimat makes a convincing and effective case that the Middle East is strategically significant to China's national security, vital interests, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and economic prosperity. A specialized work but well done, this book belongs in all large academic libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections. * CHOICE *
This study represents an important contribution to the discussion of China's role in one of the world's most turbulent regions. As such, it should appear to both academics and practitioners. -- Dennis Hickey, Director of the Graduate Program in Global Studies, Missouri State University
This book is an incisive and well-researched guide to the coming ‘Chinese Century’ in the Middle East. Professor Olimat maps the prospects as well as the geopolitical fault lines in politics, trade, security, culture, and energy. It is indispensable for anyone interested in the rapid transformations in this region. -- Thomas W. Smith, University of South Florida St. Petersburg
China’s growing role in the Middle East is one of the most important developments in international relations in the twenty-first century. Despite the importance of this topic, it is surprisingly understudied and under-reported on. Consequently, Muhamad Olimat’s important new book, China and the Middle East Since World War Two: A Bilateral Approach , fills an important niche in the international relations literature. Professor Olimat is one of the few scholars writing in English who focuses on relations between China and the Middle East nations. A keen observer of both regions, he is well-positioned to offer us this important contribution to scholarship on China’s relations with the Middle East, and this book will undoubtedly be one of the key volumes students, scholars, and practitioners will turn to on this vitally important topic for many years to come. -- Gregory J. Moore, Zhejiang University
Table of ContentsChapter One: China and the Middle East: An Overview Chapter Two: China and Bahrain Chapter Three: China and Iran Chapter Four: China and Iraq Chapter Five: China and Israel Chapter Six: China and Jordan Chapter Seven: China and Kuwait Chapter Eight: China and Lebanon Chapter Nine: China and Oman Chapter Ten: China and Palestine Chapter Eleven: China and Qatar Chapter Twelve: China and Saudi Arabia Chapter Thirteen: China and Syria Chapter Fourteen: China and the UAE Chapter Fifteen: China and Turkey Chapter Sixteen: China and Yemen Chapter Seventeen: Prospectus and Conclusions
